Asia report: Markets mixed as dollar continues to shake

In Japan, the Nikkei 225 was down 0.16% at 23,631.88, as the yen strengthened 0.15% against the dollar to last trade at JPY 109.25.

Of the big exporters in the country, Fanuc Manufacturing was up 0.3% and Toyota added 0.18%, while Honda lost 0.23% and Suzuki Motor fell 3.51%.

The fall for Suzuki came after the Maruti Suzuki India operation reported quarterly profits that came in below expectations.

Fresh data out of Tokyo showed stability in Japanese consumer prices, with the core consumer price index up 0.9% year-on-year in December - in line with forecasts.

Not counting the effect of food and energy prices, inflation was 0.3%.

On the mainland, the Shanghai Composite was up 0.3% at 3,559.09, and the smaller, technology-heavy Shenzhen Composite lost 0.16%.

Industrial sector profits grew 10.8% year-on-year in China in December, according to new data issued during the day.

South Korea’s Kospi was added 0.49% to 2,574.76, while the Hang Seng Index in Hong Kong surged 1.53% to 33,154.12.

Technology stocks were mixed in Seoul, with Samsung Electronics up 1.03%, while SK Hynix gave up some of its profit-induced Thursday gains and fell 0.4%.

Carmakers were lower on the Korean peninsula, led by Hyundai Motor, which reported a decline in annual operating income during the previous session.

Hyundai shares were down 3.79% on Friday, while Kia Motors lost 1.18%.

Oil prices were lower, with Brent crude last down 0.27% at $70.23 per barrel and West Texas Intermediate falling 0.02% to $65.50.

Markets in Australia were closed for the Australia Day national holiday.

Across the Tasman Sea, New Zealand’s S&P/NZX 50 fell 0.7% to 8,311.42, led lower by flag carrier Air New Zealand and utilities group Trustpower - down 2.7% and 2.6% respectively.

Both of the down under dollars retained their strength on the greenback, with the Aussie last ahead 0.82% at AUD 1.2358 and the Kiwi advancing 0.3% to NZD 1.3613.